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    Coconut Braised Tofu

    June 2, 2022 By Rene 4 Comments

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice!

    Jump to Recipe
    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes

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    This is such an easy and delicious way to serve tofu! The tofu is browned in a skillet, then it is braised in a Thai coconut milk sauce until the sauce has thickened and the tofu is fully immersed in the flavors. Serve it up over hot rice with plenty of green onion, fresno chiles and fresh basil.

    How to make the coconut sauce

    This coconut sauce is super easy to make and everything can be combined while the tofu is being pressed.

    To a large bowl add canned coconut milk (I prefer full fat), soy sauce (or tamari), sweet chili sauce, agave, chili garlic sauce and lime juice. Whisk until combined. The sauce is going to have a strong flavor, but don't worry about it - the rice will soak up a lot of that flavor when you serve it.

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes

    How to make the tofu

    Like I mentioned, you want to press the tofu well - I like to just put it between 2 bowls and let it set for 20-30 minutes. Then, cut the tofu into squares and press out any remaining liquid with a paper towel.

    Heat some neutral oil in a skillet and add the tofu. Let the tofu sit undisturbed for at least 5 minutes. This will ensure it gets nice and browned & doesn't stick to the bottom.

    Flip the tofu and let the other side brown for a few minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and place the empty skillet back on the stove - there should still be some oil in the skillet.

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes

    Bring it together

    With that bit of oil that is left in the skillet, cook down some garlic, green onion and ginger powder. After about a minute, pour in the coconut sauce and a corn starch slurry. Bring it to a boil and then simmer for 5-7 minutes.

    Add the tofu back to the skillet and spoon the sauce over it. Cover and braise the tofu for another 10-20 minutes over low heat. The longer you let it braise, the more flavorful the tofu will be.

    How to serve Coconut Braised Tofu

    When you are ready to eat, spoon some hot rice into each bowl. Top the rice with the tofu and as much sauce as you want. Top with green onions, fresno chiles and fresh basil - if you can get Thai basil, that would be even better!

    You can serve this alongside your favorite steamed or baked veggies. I think my favorites would be bok choy, crispy brussels sprouts or broccolini!

    The leftovers for this recipe hold up well. Just reheat and serve!

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes

    Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:

    • Mediterranean Braised Chickpea Rice Bowls
    • Sweet and Spicy Braised Eggplant
    • Simple Vegan Coconut Rice
    • Pan Seared Vegan Pesto Gnocchi
    • Coconut Cajun Tofu Bowls

    Did you make this recipe?

    If you made this Coconut Braised Tofu I would LOVE to hear what you thought. Be sure to drop a comment and a rating below! You can also tag me on social media if you snapped a photo. I LOVE seeing your recreations!

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes
    Print Pin
    5 from 6 votes

    Coconut Braised Tofu

    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine thai
    Keyword asian, bowls, dinner, easy, rice bowls, tofu, weeknight dinner
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Servings 4
    Calories 418kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 block firm tofu drained and pressed
    • 1 15-ounce can coconut milk
    • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari for GF
    • 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
    • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
    • 2 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 2 tablespoons neutral oil I used avocado
    • 2 cloves garlic diced
    • 4 green onions diced, whites and greens separated
    • ½ teaspoon ginger powder
    • 1 tablespoon corn starch plus 1 tablespoon water
    • rice, fresno chiles, basil, lime wedges for serving

    Instructions

    • Drain and press the tofu. Cut into 12 squares and press out any remaining liquid with a paper towel.
    • While the tofu is pressing, combine the coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, chili garlic sauce, agave and lime juice in a bowl. Whisk and set aside.
    • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook, undisturbed for at least 5 minutes. Once browned, flip and brown the other side. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.
    • Place the empty skillet back on the stove* and add the garlic, whites of green onion and ginger powder. Cook for about 1 minute. Add the coconut sauce to the skillet. Combine the corn starch and water in a bowl and stir to combine. Add the corn starch slurry to the sauce and bring to a boil.
    • Add the tofu back to the skillet and spoon sauce over it. Lower the heat and cover for 10-20 minutes.**
    • Serve the tofu over hot rice topped with the remaining green onions, fresno chiles and basil. Be sure to spoon the extra sauce over the tofu when serving!

    Video

    Notes

    *There should be some oil left in the skillet, but you can add a little more if it is dry.
    **The longer you let it braise, the more flavorful the tofu will be. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 788mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Iron: 5mg
    This Coconut Braised Tofu is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tofu is browned, then braised in a creamy sauce - serve over hot rice | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #braisedtofu #coconutmilkrecipes
    « Roasted Potatoes with Sun-Dried Tomato Quinoa
    Weekly Vegan Dinner Plan #179 »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan

      June 06, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      This recipe was INCREDIBLE!

      Reply
      • Rene

        June 08, 2022 at 11:00 am

        Thank you so much Megan!

        Reply
    2. Darla

      June 05, 2022 at 5:44 am

      5 stars
      This was absolutely incredible! A gem! Simple and easy to make but the flavors though...love!

      Reply
      • Rene

        June 08, 2022 at 10:58 am

        Yay! So glad you enjoyed it Darla!

        Reply

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    I’m Rene! So-cal native, dog mom and lover of all things spicy. Learn more.

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